Where to stay in Northern Ireland?

[Notname]

Could anyone help me please? My mum would like to book a holiday cottage in a rural area/village within about half an hour's drive of Belfast (to visit my niece who'll be studying there). We have no idea which areas are best to stay in so could anyone please suggest somewhere nice? She likes walking and visiting nice towns - we might go with her with our young children so somewhere that might suit all ages would be great. Thanks!

Hello notname. That is a difficult one. The Antrim coast is probably the best area for tourists but might be a bit far. My inlaws recently stayed in gorgeous cottages in Ballintoy (45 mins drive to Belfast) which is close to Giants causeway and carrick a rede rope bridge and they loved it. Friends highly recommend rentals in Cushendall and Cushendun up that way too. Newcastle and Bangor are larger seaside towns but more commercial etc

Thanks for the reply! I also posted in chat as didn't think anyone was going to reply here. Had suggestions for North Coast but sounds like it's further away than we'd like, and the Newcastle/Mournes area. Have just done a search and found www.newcastlecountrycottages.com/index.asp near Newcastle which look very nice. Will look at the places you've recommended too. We don't want to be too far away from Belfast as want to visit my niece a few times, but I accept that if we want something rural/coastal it's going to be a reasonable drive into the City.

Somewhere down the ards peninsula? Try newtownards, Bangor, greyabbey, millisecond, donaghadee

*Millisle

My own choice would be Newcastle as has lovely places to eat, nice hotels, scenery and lovely promenade. Having said that Belfast is more like a large town than a city and very vibrant so might suit you more than you think! You could also get train out of city to Bangor etc for day trips. Just a thought...

Whitehead, Helen's Bay, Carrickfergus. All on the train line, no need to drive.

Might not be rural, but on the coast and all very nice places.

Disclaimer.... haven't visited those places in a while, but when I did they were lovely. Someone else will help you if I am off track now.

Thank you! Will look at these places. I'd happily stay in Belfast but my mum doesn't fancy that, hence looking for something rural/coastal. I'm thinking Newcastle sounds like a good compromise but will look at all the other suggestions too :)

Have fun and if you do decide Newcastle I can helo you out with eating ideas

Newcastle is lovely and I can personally recommend castlewellan too x

Newcastle is lovely but the drive into or out of Belfast has terrible traffic especially if the weather is good.

I would second Helen's Bay

The Salty Dog in Bangor is a lovely small hotel by the sea. It's a half hour train trip into Belfast. There's loads of great restaurants, whether you're after something fancy or casual. There's also a lovely walk along the coast if you get the weather.

We had a fantasist one in Bangor a few years ago. Close for the trains etc.